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The lead article in this issue of Community Banking Connections discusses the importance of sound risk management principles in slowing agricultural markets. Other articles highlight the transition away from LIBOR and lending to continuing care retirement communities. This issue also features CECL Corner, which provides insights on how community banks can better prepare for CECL.

This bulletin discusses specific provisions of federal flood insurance requirements affecting loan origination and servicing, the potential risks vendors pose in these areas, and sound practices to mitigate those risks.

The latest issue of the Consumer Compliance Outlook newsletter is now available. This issue includes articles on preparing for a consumer compliance examination, compliance with the escrow accounting rules, and information on recent regulatory updates and notable federal court opinions.

This bulletin addresses the importance of sound risk management practices when credit risk is heightened by concentrations in commercial real estate (CRE) credits. It notes that the key to a successful CRE lending operation is the development of a robust risk management framework that includes strong underwriting standards and credit administration practices.

The lead article in this issue of Community Banking Connections discusses how culture drives a community bank’s mission. Other articles highlight revisions to the Federal Reserve’s risk management guidance and the risks of agricultural lending in challenging times. This issue also features the first CECL Corner, a new component that provides links to CECL resources and, in future issues, will discuss ways that community banks can better prepare for CECL.

This issue of Community Banking Connections features an article by Teresa Curran discussing how regulators think about balancing the promise and risks of fintech innovation. Other articles remind bankers that evaluations may be acceptable substitutes for appraisals for some real estate loans, highlight considerations when migrating to a dot-bank domain name, and delve into the importance of effectively managing third-party vendor risk.

This issue of Community Banking Connections highlights the tradeoffs associated with asset concentrations, best practices in business resumption planning, and the impact of the new flood insurance requirements on small lenders. It also includes the third and final part of a series on the development and maintenance of an effective loan policy.

In this issue of Community Banking Connections, Chair Janet Yellen shares insights on the important role that community banks play in the U.S. economy. Other articles discuss ways banks can protect against unauthorized electronic payments from business accounts, how virtual currencies are changing the banking landscape, and factors contributing to low net interest income at community banks.

This issue of Community Banking Connections highlights one supervisor’s reflections on the evolution of community bank supervision, provides perspectives on better understanding the composition of a bank’s deposits, reviews lessons learned about managing risk in agricultural lending, and discusses the importance of tailoring a loan policy to a bank’s activities.

The Q3/Q4 2014 issue of Community Banking Connections discusses lessons learned from the bank failure epidemic in the Atlanta Fed’s District, provides views on recruiting and retaining community bank directors, assesses the role of minority depository institutions in the U.S., and reviews effective practices for loan policies, outsourcing, and cybersecurity.